Ed Sheeran Is Taking a Break From Social Media—Find Out Why

Now that he's done touring, Ed Sheeran is taking a break from social media...to go out and see the real world.

The 24-year-old British singer revealed the news late on Saturday, the day he finished his concert series with a show in Auckland, New Zealand. His comments also come days after he revealed in a radio interview that he plans to have ear surgery in the new year.

"Hello all. I am taking a break from my phone, emails and all social media for a while," he wrote on Instagram. "I've had such an amazing ride over the last 5 years but I find myself seeing the world through a screen and not my eyes, so I'm taking this opportunity of me not having to be anywhere or do anything to travel the world and see everything I missed."

Sheeran has been touring almost non-stop since August 2014.

"To my family and friends, if you love me, you will understand me buggering off for a bit," he said. "To my fans, the 3rd album is on its way and is the best thing I have made thus far. See you all next autumn, and thank you for being amazing."

Sheeran recently told Australian radio station Nova 96.9 FM that he planned to spend Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, and the New Year's holiday with friends. He said they had also vacationed together this past summer, during which he injured his ear drum jumping off a yacht.

"I have to have an operation in January on my ear because I stupidly jumped off a yacht really high up and smashed," he said. "I landed wrong and it burst my ear drum so I have to go and get a graft, which means I'm not allowed to fly for a while, so it's kind of good—it means I have to stay at home."